Crystallographic orientation and wear characteristics of TiN, SiC, Nb embedded Al7075 composite

A wear resistant TiN, SiC, Nb blended Al7075 composite was fabricated by ultrasonic assisted squeeze casting route. The X-ray residual stress analysis probed that the fabricated component had shown high magnitude of compressive residual stresses induced in the range of 279 +/- 8 MPa. Further the inverse pole figure generated by Electron Backscattered Diffraction (EBSD) delineated the occurrence of grain refinement caused by potential heterogenous nucleants TiN and Nb. As an effect of grain refinement, pronounced improvement in microhardness was observed. The results of dry sliding wear analysis of the fabricated component had shown a superior wear resistance by exhibiting low friction coefficient (LFC) of 0.19. It was found that the segregated reinforcements across the grain boundaries yield positive effects on improving the tribological performance by Zenner pinning mechanism and Orowan load bearing effect. Thus, easy sliding was facilitated by attenuating the impact of contact stresses between the intender and counterpart interface.

Automated summary

The wear resistant TiN, SiC, Nb blended Al7075 composite fabricated by ultrasonic assisted squeeze casting route exhibited high compressive residual stresses, grain refinement, and improved wear resistance. The segregated reinforcements across grain boundaries played a positive role in enhancing tribological performance by Zenner pinning mechanism and Orowan load bearing effect, facilitating easy sliding by attenuating the impact of contact stresses.